Incendin reaches breakthrough in sustainable technology for fire safety
New formulation of fluorine-free additives for portable fire extinguishers warrants lifesaving performance, without the environmental cost
Tisselt, Belgium, 1 June 2021 – As governments around the world continue to ban the use of firefighting foams containing fluorine, Incendin, a leading developer of chemicals for the fire safety industry, launches FFX®, a range of fluorine-free additives for portable fire extinguishers.
Fires in residential buildings, offices, public properties and industrial premises are a tremendous cause of human suffering and destruction. According to Fire Safe Europe, the European association for fire safety in buildings, more than 4,000 people are killed by fire in Europe every year. It only takes three minutes on average for a fire to engulf an entire room.
Growing need for sustainable fire extinguishing
To prevent starting fires from getting out of control, high-performance portable fire extinguishers are a valuable asset. Millions of extinguishers are produced every year. Water-based extinguishers are often preferred over powder-based extinguishers, as they have the advantage of not impairing visibility and limit collateral damage. However, these water-based extinguishers traditionally contain fluorine. Fluorine is sometimes dubbed a ‘forever chemical’ as it accumulates in the environment and is not biodegradable, with negative consequences for all kind of species, including humans.
For over 20 years, the awareness of fluorine’s negative impact on the environment has been increasing amongst a growing number of countries around the world. It is now widely recognised that a sustainable alternative in chemical technology, respecting human health and efficiently extinguishing fires, should be implemented. However, an alternative technology still needed to be developed for the very strong fire suppression properties of fluorine.
Breakthrough technology for a safer and greener environment
“Today, after 10 years of research and innovation, Incendin has taken the lead in fighting and preventing fire in the most efficient and ecological way. A collaborative R&D effort by three former competitors has now led to a breakthrough in performance of water additives for portable extinguishers that avoid fluorine. We have fulfilled a vision for a safer and greener environment. With FFX® we have developed a range of sustainable and top-performing firefighting agents”, says Pieter Daeseleire, CEO of Incendin.
FFX® is both sustainable and high-performance
“As always, we approached the challenge through the eyes of our customer. Not only did we want to provide a solution without fluorine, but also be sure that it delivered high performance, sustainability, ready biodegradability, while being as safe as possible. FFX® technology meets all those criteria and more”, confirms Dr. Saïd Rachidi, R&D Director at Incendin.
Tested across many types of portable fire extinguishers, FFX® has proven to be more than a match for existing fluorine-based firefighting solutions. Unlike products containing fluorine and silicone technology, FFX® is mainly made with natural renewable raw materials, which neither during production nor during the application contain or release any environmentally critical substances such as PFOS, PFOA, PFAS or silicones. This breakthrough technology combines fluorine free, biodegradable and sustainable fire extinguishing agents with high performance ratings.
About Incendin
Incendin is a leading developer and producer of high performance and environmentally responsible chemistry for the fire safety industry. Headquartered in Belgium, the company develops and produces solutions for both passive (flame-retardant and fire-resistant materials) and active (fire extinguishing agents) fire protection.
Contact
Pieter Daeseleire, CEO
+32 476 41 70 70
pieter.daeseleire@incendin.com